FB's P.J. Theisen is finalist for Gagliardi Trophy

November 21, 2007

St. Thomas wide receiver P.J. Theisen (SR-Elko/New Prague) is one of 10 national finalists for the 2007 Gagliardi Trophy which recognizes an outstanding player in Division III football based on athletics, academics and community service.

The 15th-annual award, sponsored by the St. John's University J-Club and Jostens, will announce on Dec. 4 one finalist in each of four regions. The national winner will be named Dec. 13.

Other West Region honorees are St. John's quarterback Alex Kofoed and UW-Whitewater running back Justin Beaver. The list also includes Derek Blanchard of Mount Union, Jason Boltus of Hartwick, Thomas Brew of Case Western Reserve, Eric Dube of Dickinson, Paul Keeley of Alfred, Adrian Pynenberg of Wabash, and Andrew Bain Smith of Hampden-Sydney.

For the first time, fans will be able to rank the 10 finalists and cast an electronic ballot that collectively will be added to the 30 votes of the national selection committee.  Ballots may be cast immediately through Monday, Dec. 3 through two web sites:  www.d3football.com and www.usafootballnews.com.  Fans may only vote one time.

Theisen was chosen an Academic All-American in 2005-06 in both football and track and field. Theisen is on the national ballot for football again in 2007.

Theisen, who has a 3.93 grade-point average in Accounting, was a 2006 National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete. He's one of four players in MIAC history to win the NFF's $18,000 postgraduate scholarship.

He also was named to the national Good Works team in 2006 by the American Football Coaches Association. 

Theisen started his 41st and final game as a Tommie on Nov. 10 and caught 16 passes for 278 yards and two TDs in a 54-28 loss to 8-2 St. Olaf. The 16 catches tied a UST single-game record, and the 278 yards are the second most by a receiver in MIAC history. (Carleton's Jim Bradford had 285 yards in receiving yards against Gustavus in 1990). 

Theisen finished his career in the top five among MIAC players in two categories -- he was third in receptions with 218 and fourth in receiving yards at 3,223 yards. He also had 25 touchdown catches to finish with 150 points, sixth best in school history. He finished third in career all-purpose yards at 4,025. He had 100-yard receiving games in 13 of his last 19 games.

He finished the 2007 season with 86 catches for 1,192 yards and 14 TDs. In his last five games he had 10 TDs and 52 catches for 824 yards.

Academics/Honors :

•3.93 gpa in Accounting, accepted full-time position starting summer 2008 with Deloitte
•2006 NFF Scholar-Athlete, one of 17 Draddy Trophy finalists ($18,000 postgraduate scholarship winner)
•2006 AFCA Good Works Team (one of 22 players in college football cited for exceptional campus-community service)
•2005 Football CoSIDA Academic All-American
•2006 Track & Field CoSIDA Academic All-American
•2007 Football CoSIDA Academic All-District (now on national ballot for All-America consideration)
•6X Conference All-Academic (football/track & field)
•2006 Preseason All-America by Football Gazette; 2005 HM All-America by Football Gazette
•3X all-conference receiver, likely 2X all-region
 
Community and Campus Service
 
Here's a list of Theisen's campus and community service projects while at St. Thomas:
•Red Ribbon Ride to raise money for AIDS research and service organizations. (Summer 06)
•Assist "Athletes Committed to Educating Students" (ACES) in putting on the Twin Cities Triathlon (Summer 06)
•New Prague Youth Football and Track Camps (2003-2006)
•Irondale Youth Football Camp (Summer 2005)
•The National Veterans Wheelchair Games (Summer 2005)
•St. Paul Schools "Read, Read, Read Program" reading to elementary students (Spring 2004)
•Home Church of St. Nicholas (New Market, MN) Chicken Cookout (2000-2004)
•Member UST Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)/Co-President for 2006-07
  (Organized Homecoming Pep Fest and Toys for-Teens Drive in 05-06)
•Annual UST Faculty-Staff Christmas Party (2003-2007)
•Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast (2004-2006)
•Member of UST Accounting Club (2005-present)
•Guest Speaker at alma mater Holy Cross Grade School Athletic Banquet (Spring 2006)
•UST Football and Track Team Captain (2006 & 2007)
•UST Football Alumni Golf Tournament (2004-2006)
•Work in UST Football Department (2003-present)
•Volunteer track clinics at Bloomington Jefferson High (spring 2007)
•Community cleanup day (fall 2006)
 
Track & Field

•5X All-American, 4X NCAA Qualifier in 400-meter hurdles (3rd in 2006)
•Member of four conference champion teams (indoors and outdoors), 2X team captain
•Ranks No. 4 all-time in MIAC in 400 hurdles with best of 52.25; in six career MIAC championship meets, Theisen has scored 163 individual points and contributed to 48 relay points -- an average of 27 individual and eight relay points per competition; has 23 career top-five MIAC meet finishes (12 relay/individual firsts); at 2006 conference indoor meet, scored an unprecedented 46 individual points and had a hand in five victories and was voted Male Field event MVP